The Nigerian Army has arrested three suspected members of a notorious criminal syndicate linked to the deadly ambush of troops in May, recovering stolen military rifles, ammunition and other combat equipment during coordinated operations in Rivers and Delta states.
The Army said the suspects, identified as Chiboy, Marathon and Onowu, were apprehended during intelligence-driven raids carried out by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under Operation UDOKA as part of the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II.
The operation followed the May 4, 2026 ambush on troops, during which one soldier was killed while another sustained injuries. The attackers reportedly carted away service weapons belonging to the military.
According to a statement on Saturday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt. Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, troops launched sustained intelligence-led operations to track down the suspects and recover the stolen weapons.
Ayeni said the breakthrough came in the early hours of July 31 when troops, in collaboration with the 181 Battalion under the 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, raided Opaebe and Oleh communities in Delta State, leading to the arrest of the three suspects who had fled to the area after the attack.
He disclosed that the suspects later led troops to their hideouts at Aggah Plantation, Ekpeaggah, in Rivers State, and Umudike Plantation, where the stolen weapons and other arms were concealed.
Items recovered included one stolen AK-47 rifle with two magazines, one FN rifle with two magazines, three additional AK-47 rifles with nine magazines, pistols with magazines, 194 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
The Army also recovered military uniforms, camouflage shirts, trousers, jungle hats, a fragment protection jacket, an empty first aid box and five mobile phones believed to have been used by the criminal syndicate.
“The suspects are currently in custody for further investigation and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement added.
The Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDOKA, commended the troops for their professionalism, resilience and effective collaboration with sister security agencies.
It added that the successful operation reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to dismantling criminal networks and sustaining ongoing peace-building efforts across the South-East and adjoining areas.
